Power outage on Thanksgiving (or any hosting day)

Why it matters with a full house

Ready.gov says a winter storm can "Cut off heat, power and communication services." It says a power outage may "Disrupt communications, water and transportation" and "Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks and other services." With a full house, that's more people in the dark and more phones running down at once.

The night before

• Charge every power bank and set them out with a few cables in a shared room, so guests' phones stay charged.
• Set a lantern in each shared room and the bathroom.
• Put some small bills in a drawer for a store or takeout run if card readers are down.
• Put fresh batteries in the weather radio.

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Light and phone power

• Lanterns in the shared rooms and the bathroom. Ready.gov says: "Have flashlights for every household member." With guests, count them too.
• A headlamp for whoever's in the kitchen, so both hands stay free.
• Power banks where guests can use them. Ready.gov suggests "a portable charger or power bank." Charge them the night before.

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If card readers are down

If you need a takeout or store run and the card readers are down, small bills still work. See what to do when card readers are down.

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Storm updates without the internet

A battery or hand-crank NOAA weather radio keeps you updated if the internet and cell service drop. See do you need a NOAA weather radio?

What to do with the meal

• Keep the fridge and freezer closed. Ready.gov says: "The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours."
• Check temperatures. Ready.gov says: "Monitor temperatures with a thermometer. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher."
• When in doubt, throw it out. Ready.gov says: "Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture." FoodSafety.gov, the federal food safety site, has more guidance on food after a power outage.
• For dishes that don't need the fridge or the oven, see no-cook outage food.

Heat and cooking

• Never heat the house with the oven or stove. Ready.gov says: "Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. It increases your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning."
• Grills, camp stoves and generators stay outdoors. Ready.gov says they "should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows."
• Carbon monoxide alarms. Ready.gov says to "Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home."
• To keep everyone warm, see power outage in winter.

Host's checklist

Meal and heat

• A fridge thermometer, and the fridge stays closed.
• No oven or stove for heat; grills only outdoors.
• Carbon monoxide alarms on every level.

Tell your guests

• Where the lanterns and power banks are.
• Which rooms to gather in if the power goes out.

Gear

• A lantern for each shared room and the bathroom.
• Power banks charged the night before.
• Small bills in a drawer.
• A weather radio with fresh batteries.

FAQ

How do I keep guests' phones charged? Charge power banks the night before, and set them out with a few cables in a shared room. Ready.gov suggests "a portable charger or power bank" for outages.

Can I still cook Thanksgiving dinner in a power outage? Plan for a meal that doesn't need the oven. Never use a grill or camp stove inside: Ready.gov says they belong outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows. Ready.gov also says the fridge keeps food cold for about four hours, and to "Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher." See no-cook outage food.